Observations from Iraq, Iran, Israel, the Arab world and beyond

AFGHANISTAN: A river, a bridge and a hope

January 1, 2009 | 9:38
am

Uruzgon Province in southern Afghanistan has been one of the most troublesome for U.S. and NATO troops.

It's smack in the middle of the heroin-poppy region. Taliban leader Mullah Omar is from the province. U.S., Australian and Dutch troops have fought the Taliban here -- with much of the battle being to win support of the local populace.

Now the U.S. and the Afghan government hope the just-completed Chutu Bridge over the Helmand River will help in that effort. The bridge cost $2 million and was dedicated this week amid much hoopla, including a hopeful speech by Army Gen. David McKiernan, commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Without the bridge, impoverished villagers had to pay $2 for a ferry ride across the river or travel seven miles to a point where the water was often -- although not always -- shallow enough to permit crossing. The bridge is supposed to make it easier for villagers to get their crops to market, among other benefits.

Like everything in Afghanistan, the 150-meter bridge wasn't easy to build. Other attempts to build crossings were washed away by the rising river.

Villagers have vowed to protect the steel-and-concrete bridge from insurgents tempted to destroy it, U.S. officials said.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Dedication of Chutu Bridge. Credit: U.S. Department of Defense.